I was tired of working in an office and I wanted to make a living telling stories. There are not many people who find a way to do this.

I write out of enthusiasm. Momentum that comes from a new idea. Eagerness to explore. I also write out of fear - fear of losing an idea - fear of feeling stagnant.

I feel like having an actual taxidermy-ed mammal would get gross, like its hair would get dirty and stuff.

Sometimes I try to meditate, which I hope will help, but it doesn't really. But lots of times my dreams have the seed of an intriguing story.

Horror is so basic. You'd get an adrenaline jolt from watching your mom get gored by a woolly mammoth. A horror movie gives you the adrenaline without having to have your mom get gored.

I love horror movies. I consider myself a horror author, sometimes.

Fiction and screenwriting blend for me. I feel like being a TV writer/screenwriter has definitely made my fiction writing better, although I have less time to do it.

The Shield made me realize there were great opportunities for writers in TV.

We're lucky to be in the middle of a TV renaissance. It's the healthiest storytelling medium in our culture.

I own some bugs encased in lucite or something. I also have a big cat's eye - a fake one - made for a taxidermist. I really like animals.

Yeah, most guys don't like to think about going to a bar with a girlfriend and watching her leave with someone else.

How much did a Dragon hide, when he walked the streets of the city?

I love the theatre and theatre people.

When something really hits me, it makes me want to either jump off something really high or lie down and be buried. I want people to get hit and caught by my music.

In laughter all that is evil comes together, but is pronounced holy and absolved by its own bliss.

We don't suffer from a shortage of metaphors . . . But you have to be careful which metaphor you choose, because it matters.

(God) wants America to succeed. And he wants America to lead.

Stand-up can take you in so many different places, man. So many doors can be opened up from stand-up comedy, and the first one that was opened up for me was acting.

Our greatest indulgence towards a man springs from our despair of him.

A friend of mine, a dedicated golfer, shot a hole in one playing by himself. Disaster.

It is by thoughtful reflection that the elusive moments of the past draw near to us in present reality and gain a measure of permanence.